When people talk about pelvic floor muscles and pelvic health, it’s generally thought of as a women’s issue, but this couldn’t be farther from the truth. Everyone, regardless of their genitals, has pelvic floor muscles, and thus, everyone should work to improve their pelvic health in order to live a happier, less stressful life. Men’s pelvic health is an issue that’s rarely discussed, due to the fact that it’s often misdiagnosed and men are rarely informed of the fact that they can have pelvic floor issues. 

While it is true that pelvic floor issues are far more prevalent in people with vaginas, due to experiences such as childbirth, there are still many people with penises who suffer from pelvic floor issues. The sad reality is that many men don’t even know that that’s the problem. At Wasatch Peak Physical Therapy, our mission is to educate people of all genders about their bodies and why they’re experiencing the issues they are, as well as what can be done to prevent them in the future.

Here is what you need to know about men’s pelvic health, issues men face with pelvic floor dysfunction, and how to improve men’s pelvic health. 

What Is The Pelvic Floor?

Your pelvic floor is a group of muscles that stretches from your pubic bone to your tailbone and from one sitting bone to the other. Its job is to support your bladder and bowel, allowing you to maintain continence. Men’s pelvic health is important to prevent loss of stool or urine, supporting your internal organs, assisting in sexual sensation and function, and for stabilizing your trunk. 

How To Find Your Pelvic Floor

In order to improve your pelvic health, you first need to know how to even find your pelvic floor. Women are taught this more frequently than men, and seeing how many men don’t realize they can even have pelvic issues, a key component of men’s pelvic health is identifying and isolating your pelvic floor muscles.

You can do this by stopping urination mid-stream or by tightening the muscles you use to keep from passing gas. If you can successfully do this multiple times, you’ve found your pelvic floor.

Common Issues With Men’s Pelvic Health

As you see, your pelvic floor serves many functions. Men’s pelvic health can be impacted when your pelvic floor muscles are too tight, too weak, or are stretched. These can result in many different problems.

Weak Pelvic Floor

Your pelvic floor can be weakened by many things, such as:

• Heavy lifting
• Aging
• Being overweight
• Constipation
• Surgery for bladder or bowel issues
• Persistent, long-term coughing
• High impact exercise

When your pelvic floor is too weak, it can no longer fully support your pelvic organs, which leads to pelvic floor disorders. These can cause problems such as: 

• Urinary incontinence 
• Urgency urinary incontinence
• Fecal incontinence
• Overactive bladder
• Pelvic organ prolapse
• Painful sex

In nearly all cases where your pelvic floor is too weak, men’s pelvic health can be improved with muscle exercises, such as Kegels.

Pelvic Floor That Is Too Tight

Your pelvic floor can get too tight, the same as any other muscle. When your pelvic floor muscles tense and can’t relax, this can result in problems such as:

• Constipation
• Pelvic pain
• Painful sex
• Urge incontinence

The physical therapists at Wasatch Peak Physical Therapy provide treatment for pelvic floor issues for people of all genders. We’re experienced in men’s pelvic health issues, as well as women’s, and are dedicated to helping you manage and treat your pelvic floor.

How To Improve Men’s Pelvic Health

Your pelvic floor is made up of muscles, which means one of the ways you can improve men’s pelvic health is with regular pelvic floor exercises, such as Kegels. Kegels are an important part of men’s pelvic health, the same as any other gender’s. Once you’ve found your pelvic floor, you’ll be able to tighten the muscles, hold for a few seconds, relax, and then repeat a few times in a row. Within a few weeks to a few months, you can expect a stronger pelvic floor by doing these exercises several times a day every day. 

In addition to pelvic floor exercises, there are a variety of other treatment methods designed to improve your pelvic health. Some of which include:

• Manual therapy
• Pelvic floor re-education, strength training, and coordination exercises
• Core strengthening
• Education, such as about posture, diets, and more
• Biofeedback
• Relaxation techniques
• And more

Depending on your condition, your treatment options will vary. The professionals at Wasatch Peak Physical Therapy are dedicated to providing you with the treatment you need in order to improve your pelvic health and live a happier life.

We Help Improve Men’s Pelvic Health

Wasatch Peak Physical Therapy has an expert team of physical therapists who know how to help people of all genders improve their pelvic health. If you are struggling with incontinence, sexual function, pelvic pain, or an overactive bladder, there’s no need to grin and bear it. We’re here to help. What works for one man won’t work for another, which is why it’s crucial that you seek out professional help in order to obtain the best treatment method for you.

Contact us today for a consultation, and let us help you restore your pelvic health!